"Govt Is Committed To Affordable Health Care," Minister

Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Obadiah Moyo has said that the government was committed to providing affordable health care to the nation.

In a speech that was read on his behalf by Health Services Board chairperson Dr Paulinus Sikhosana when he officiated at the 23rd Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA) annual conference here yesterday, Moyo said:

As Government, we pledge to offer support to councils in the attainment of universal health coverage by providing an enabling and conducive environment in which individuals and communities are empowered and engaged in maintaining and enhancing their health and well-being.

He also said that the government intends to decentralise primary healthcare to the remotest parts of the country. Moyo, however, observed that this would require attractive incentives to lure adequate and qualified personnel.

Dr Moyo also noted that African States need to combine efforts to address challenges encountered in health service delivery.

His remarks come at a time when the health sector in Zimbabwe is currently in a palace state with most medical institutions reported to be without adequate medicines and equipment. Resultantly, the haves, mostly political elites and senior government officials get treatment outside the country.

His remarks also coincide with the hiking of service charges by most health institutions, government-owned and private-owned, in the country. A backlash from the public recently forced Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals to reverse an intended price increase. Announcing its supplementary budget, the Harare City Council reviewed maternity fees up, a development likely to further increase maternity deaths.

More: The Herald